Eleven were the ships landed around the small group of Vanguardians. All looking alike, and all sporting the SF4 logo on the sides.
The heroes instinctively got closer, back to back, protecting the still senseless Phil Smith. The Robo Squirrel, inert, was still in the hands of Brute Force. Rama raised Caliburn, Ed gripped the Thundermace, Brianna aimed her crossbow, while in Grissom's hands materialised two guns.
Euro was shaking his head. "This is wrong... we are still on la Perdita territory... even Merlin can't justify this to the world!"
Grissom spitted the cigarette, grinning. "And why he should? No one will ever tell the world this. The Vanguardians got lost in the explosion of a cave. Full stop, new line."
The dust raised by the landing settled, revealing an enormous monitor sprouting from the back of one of the airship. There was some static for an instant, and then the full figure of Jack Merlin appeared, wearing a black Armani suit, jewelled cane in one hand and long, white hairs over the shoulders, sitting on a leathered armchair and smiling at them.
"My dear Vanguardians, welcome to your doom. I can hear your protests... we have not stepped out of La Perdita, we went by the rules... sadly, it's ME that doesn't follow rules.
I devised that little trick... having the UN ordering you to not leave the island... just to buy time. My Strikeforce 2 was destroyed in Manhattan... how pity... so I created a Strikeforce 3 of wanna be superheroes just to please the world. But secretly, I was building a new Strikeforce... the powerful one I ever assembled... created with the sole purpose of hunting... and capture you!"
The Vanguardians were looking around themselves, but from the ship no sign were coming.
Merlin continued: "I saw how you Vanguardians defeated my first Strikeforce in Mandelovia... how you fought like warrior in Antarctic... how you beat the cadets along the transdimensional MBL... I learned the hard way that only who know you best can have a chance to defeat you... so I choose the ones that went so near to killing you..."
The image of Merlin in the monitor pointed the tip of the cane to the camera, a little on the right, and the five ships on that side began to buzz. The backs of the ships got open, and out of it came pedestals. Standing over there, five beings appeared.
The first one was clad in an ancient, purple coat, and sported long white hairs and a long, white beard. It seemed old as time itself. Ed gulped seeing his face.
The image of Merlin spoke again "The first one is the great mage, Aurochs. Necromancer supreme, the gates of Hell opens at his will, and any kind of demon he can evoke."
On the pedestal of the second ship there was a tall and young man, with black curly hairs. This one was recognised not only by Euro, but by Brianna as well.
"Johnny Omicron, multibillionaire and man of adventure. Vanguard put him out of business- killing him in the process- two years ago. since then, he had returned, with a great thirst of vengeance. He can fly with his own jetpack, and has a new and improved adamantium sword."
On the third and fourth pedestals stood two enormous and muscular being, white skinned and with strange masks.
"The Scorpion Brothers. You fought them two time, in Mandelivia and then in the Castle of Crossed Destiny. And they also nearly killed Cicciotto in Thunder City, if not for Rypta Gud'n and his MBL. Maybe this will be the right time, eh, guys?"
A thundering roar came from the two figures.
On the fifth and last pedestal there was a oddly shaped robotic being, a mix of hi tech and organically shaped metallic parts.
"The T5 robot. You destroyed his swarm at the South Pole, and he is not happy with that!"
The robot shape-shifted into the form of a deadly, gigantic mantis, with razor shaped claws and fangs.
Merlin leaned back in the chair. "As I was saying, the have fought and nearly defeat you... they do know you very well and. so, who can have a better chance to defeat you?
Well, I gave me an answer to that question... there are people that can have even more chance than your worst enemy... your own friends!"
The ships on the left buzzed. The backs opened and, again, five people came out.
And the Vanguardians' jaws, like I wrote so many time in this story, dropped at unison.
"Vanguardians, have the pleasure to meet:
Kristogar Velo, master tactician and gifted with an unbreakable will. Armed with laser gauntlets and flying devices, he knows all of your weakest point.
The Golden Naecken, one of the original five revolutionaries, in his last, and deadliest incarnation, with the powers of stars at his hands.
Larry Lance, the untouchable man, the one that can push his hand into your body and tore out your heart.
Jackie Munroe, the Ameristar, with her new Athena armour, with dozens of new weapons and gadgets.
And finally the powerful of you all: Tobias Christopher, the fastest man alive.
They have come to finally clear the name of Vanguard, washing its name into your blood!
"It's... it's impossible!" whispered Brianna.
"Like all since this morning, luv" responded Grissom.
Ed gave a look at the senseless form of Phil, and then raised his mace.
He hammered it over the ground with all of his force. The sky instantly was covered by clouds, rain began pouring down in torrents, and the lighting stroke.
"Move your ass, Vanguardians" shouted the Thunderbird.
And the battle began.
